AFP Firearms and Explosive Detector (FED) dog ‘Quatro’ will become the first AFP canine to receive a service medal.

Quatro will receive the medal for five years of detecting firearms and explosives as part of the AFP National Canine Team.

Quatro’s handler Federal Agent Stephen Shackell said that after nearly four years working with Quatro, he is continually impressed with Quatro’s abilities as a detector dog.

“Quatro’s most notable seizure was a pistol which had been taped under a set of drawers. Quatro reacted to the drawers and upon first glance nothing was visible, however by removing the drawers a pistol was revealed” he said.

During his time stationed in Hobart, Quatro has completed 1,743 searches, finding numerous items including rifles, pistols and ammunition.

In addition to explosive detection search duties, Quatro has conducted numerous sweeps of hotels and public areas for the Prime Minister and other dignitaries. In 2007 Quatro attended APEC involving hundreds of searches for visiting VIPs.

The medal, awarded by the Australian Defence Force Trackers and War Dog Association, recognises not only military working dogs, but dogs working in government agencies where their primary function is to uphold federal and/or state laws.

FED canine teams are a specialist component of the AFP’s role at airports, supporting additional aviation security measures including checking facilities, aircraft, baggage and freight.

The teams provide a highly visible deterrence capability and are skilled in undertaking combined operations.

At present there 41 FED Teams operating in 10 of the 11 major airports.